Member present: Andrew Croughton (meet leader).

Guests: Mark Wiltshire, Dave Lygate, Tim Horrocks, Jesper Jorgensen.

Again another disappointing attendance by club members for a Scottish midweek winter meet, despite the early interest by several members who dropped out closer to the date.

Despite the poor visibility and the high avalanche risk forecast for the week ahead, the four people present on the Monday morning including Dave Lygate who had spent most of Sunday travelling by train from Bristol after attending a stag night in the guise of David Backham in a Sarong with a rather serious hangover, arose ¾ of an hour before the alarm clock's and headed for Coire an t-Sneachda from the ski resort car park, in search of possible climbing in the gullies. On arrival the winds were in full flow and an easy ascent of Aladdin's Couloir was decided upon to see how deep the snow pack was in the gullies. On reaching the summit after struggling through waist deep snow and having a crampon fall off my boots three times it was decided that a walk over to the summit of Cairngorm itself would be more favourable than heading back down into the foot of the crags in order to look for more routes that were achievable in such heavy snow & wind conditions, although the ice to the side of the gully that was accessible was actually in very good condition. After fighting the winds across the tops to the summit we then headed head first into the winds back down the upper ski runs that were closed due to the high winds that were battering us on our descent narrowly missing a piste basher and a lift down to the lower slopes and finding that the mountain restaurant was closed.

After returning to the car and feeling rather damp we headed into Aviemore to get a few items f shopping before going into one of the local bars to sample a few pints of the native brew. (Three pints of 80 shilling whilst sat in a pub is a great way of getting dry and a lot less odorous than your average hut drying room.)

Tuesday dawned bright and early, yet again we had risen before the alarm and were keen to get out and on to the hill as soon as possible. Despite this enthusiasm the late arrival of Jesper in the early hours of the morning meant that we did not actually get out on to the hill before 10am. The plan for the day was to head out of the forest of Feshiebridge to the summit of Geal Charn and then across to Sgoran Dubh Mor and Sgor Gaoith (Skor goo-ee peak of the wind) the first Munro of the day. The accent from the forest took us out into superb clear views across to the Cairngorms with lovely fresh snow underfoot and the prospect of a wonderful day ahead. Unfortunately after reaching the first summit we had ascended into the cloud and were to remain in the clag for the rest of the day, although it did remain dry and the wind was not as strong as the day before, this combined with good consolidated snow conditions underfoot allowed for good progress across the tops to Carn Ban Mor, Meal Dubhag, Moine Mhor and finally Mullach Clach a Bhlair (Summit of the stone of the plain) the second and final Munro of the day, which I am sure came as a welcome relief to Jesper who had been struggling to keep up with the pace over the last few tops collapsing onto his axe every time he managed to catch up with Dave, Mark & myself as we waited for him. It was now 5.45pm and we still had several miles of snow covered heather hillside and a river to cross before reaching the car waiting for us back down in the forest car park. After finally crossing the river a good hour and a half after dark and trekking across the moor to the end of the forest track we finally made it back to the cars three hours after dark. (I think Mark was beginning to get a liking for wondering around in the dark. So much so he refused to use a head torch insisting it spoilt his visibility.)

Wednesday dawned to yet more fresh snow falling and Dave decided today would be the day to go skiing and apparently so did the majority of the locals who had taken the day off work expecting this to be the best day of the week for snow conditions and visibility. Whilst Dave skied the lower runs of the Cairngorm ski resort like a red demon dressed in his matching red North Face salopettes and jacket, on his flashy bright yellow racing skis, being mistaken for a member of the ski patrol Mark, Tim and Jesper headed back into the snow and mist of Coire an Lochain in search for improved climbing conditions only to over shoot the crags themselves ending up at Lairig Ghru before returning back to the car and another short unsuccessful day of no climbing.

Thursday saw yet another early start, rising before the alarm clock yet again (What a keen bunch) to more snow on the cars and plans to bag another Munro in the form of Bynack More. Tim had opted out of the days trip heading for the ski slopes to test the brand new ski boots he had purchased two days earlier to the surprise of everybody else who could not believe he had resisted the temptation to get out on the slopes two days earlier. Jesper also backed out of the trip minutes before departure suffering from blocked sinuses.

Mark, Dave and myself set out for our final day of the trip in high spirits. The visibility was improving and we were treated to more views across to Aviemore and the surrounding areas although Cairngorm itself was still in the mist and the winds were picking up again. Setting off from the Coire na Ciste car park in two feet of snow we headed towards Strath Nethy and up the flanks of Bynack Beg leading to Bynack More itself. The ascent was not as straight forward as we anticipated with gale force winds almost blowing us off the side of the mountain on several occasions. Once at the summit and with the winds still howling around our heads we decided to cut the day short and headed for the summit of A Choinneach before traversing back down into Strath Nethy and underneath the cornices and ridges of Coire Loagh Mor back to the car park that was now totally clear of snow and surrounded by heather moorland that six hours earlier had been buried under several feet of snow. In all a very successful meet especially on behalf of the guests present who out numbered club members 4-1

Thanks to all those who attended and maybe next year some club members might like to support the meet and enjoy the joys of a real Scottish winter rather than just dreaming of the clear blue sky days, on snow covered Scottish mountains, as depicted in the many guide books that are sitting on all those bookshelves out there, putting people off getting out on days with poor visibility even though the enjoyment can be just as rewarding.

Following on from Roybridge is Mill and those keen to extend their Scottish stay, Mill Cottage, near Aviemore is another excellent venue to reach the Highlands from, and at only £4 per night it's a bargain as well. Mill Cottage has been booked midweek from Sunday night February 27th until Friday March 3rd. Again places are limited so please book as early as possible, and for only £20 you can have five nights in the Scottish Highlands in perfect winter conditions and surrounded by the finest Scottish malt whisky.

Bookings for both Roybridge and Mill Cottage should be made via myself as soon as possible.